A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

A lot of non-graphic action violence, some characters killed. Characters in peril.

Sex

Mild references, including adultery.

Language

Mild.

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Drug references, drinking, hallucinogenic fruit.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has a lot of "action violence" (non-graphic). Beck makes it clear that he doesn't like guns because he believes he does too much damage with them. He does end up using guns and doing a lot of damage. There is a mild sexual reference and a few bad words. Characters drink and smoke and ingest a hallucinogenic fruit.

What's the story?

THE RUNDOWN stars World Wrestling Entertainment's The Rock as Beck, an enforcer for a nasty bad guy named Walker. We first meet Beck in an entertaining nightclub brawl when he takes on a football team's entire offensive line to get some collateral on a gambling debt. His next assignment, the action-movie staple last big job that will free him and give him the stake to realize his dream (a restaurant), is to retrieve Walker's son Travis (Seann William Scott) who is off seeking treasure in Brazil. Beck and Travis end up on an Indiana Jones-style quest for a golden idol, fighting both sides in a local rebellion and fending off a pack of amorous monkeys.

Is it any good?

The Rundown is a likeable action movie with an almost-loveable star. Director Peter Berg keeps things moving briskly and knows how to show off The Rock's charm as well as his expertise at throwing people around. Berg does not do much with the talented Scott or the beautiful and talented Rosario Dawson who is saddled with a dreary spunky-girl role and an even drearier accent. Christopher Walken brings his usual weird vibe to the role of Hatcher, local oppressor.

Co-produced by the WWE's Vince McMahon, this movie has no aspirations for subtlety or wit, but it's mildly entertaining and, like its heroes, manages to avoid most of the obvious pitfalls.

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